The elderly are an example of a group in society who have faced discrimination in the form of ageism. This results in the older generation becoming more threatened and discriminated against. The elderly are often stereotyped as weak, frail and disabled. They are also more of a target should some decide to offend them or take advantage of them as they are seen as unable to defend themselves. Ageism can occur anywhere in housing, employment and services of all kinds. The elderly have always been discriminated against and there has never been a specific point when they have totally been included in society. Many see the elderly as a useless part of our society, and that economically they are no help. There are a number of forms of ageism against the elderly. Elderly not just in the UK but all over the world are becoming increasingly threatened due to their status in society and the views others share upon them.
Age UK
"We believe that age needs respect. It needs kindness. Sometimes it needs help. Because there is strength in numbers, Age Concern and Help the Aged have joined forces to become Age UK – so that we can be here for everyone in later life." - Age UK, http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Age UK is a charity based in the UK which operates for the sake of the elderly. The company was launched in 2009 when the forces of Age Concern and Help the Aged combined. It is currently the largest charity that supports the elderly within the UK.
The merger of both companies created a combined income of around £160 Million. In addition to this around another £47 Million is raised through fundraising and around 520 charity shops that operate up and down the UK.
Tom Wright, the new charity's Chief Executive, stated "Age Concern and Help the Aged is a single organisation with one clear objective - to make a real difference to the lives of older people. By combining the unique strengths, skills and experience of our two great charities, we have created one united organisation that will be stronger and more influential than ever before."
The UK is not the only place where there are organisations supporting the elderly. In Japan, there is a holiday "Respect for the Aged Day" held on the third Monday in Spetember every year. The holiday includes neigbourhoods and volunteers holding festivals and serving the older generation in an act of respect and honor. As a result of the day, caring homes and elderly societies have become a lot more significant. A similar holiday occurs in the US as well as a number of other countries; "National Grandparents Day". Again, the day is "to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer".
Below shows the change in age throughout the UK's population. Clearly there has been a significant increase for the elderly and looks to continue. This means that they will make up 20-25% of the UK population; they are a significant proportion of our population. It is important that the elderly feel comfortable and are respected just like every other age group.
I compiled a survey in order to gain people of all age's view on how the elderly are currently treated in society and how they would plan to change this. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RPTBRYY - After I have gathered a healthy number of results, I will analyse my findings and hopefully gain a broader idea of how the public view the elderly. (September 2010)
After a month's worth of results, I have been able to gather some conclusions which have surprised me. The majority of te survey was taken by 16-25 year olds who believe that not only are the elderly treated fairly in our society, but are well represented. These results differ from the more older generation of the over 50s who suggested the opposite. Clearly there is a divide in our society concerning the elderly. Perhaps the elderly are fairly represented in media terms and are well treated in our societ. Yet it would be wrong to come to straight conclusions just by considering these results, though it is interesting to realise how a handful of the public feel about this issue. (October 2010)
“Harry Brown” – Daniel Barber
“Harry Brown” is set in South London by a housing estate. This is the home of war veteran Harry Brown. Therefore the group that is represented in this text is the elderly. We approve highly of Harry and his actions as he is shown to be the main protagonist in the film. He is a frail and elderly man and the only one on the lower class estate where he lives who chooses to do anything about the growing fear of the youth and gang culture surrounding the estate. We dislike the kids on the estate who kill Harry’s friend and disrupt the rest of the estate. People are scared of them and this is shown by how people choose not to go through the underpass where they spend most of their time taking drugs, vandalising and fighting. When the police begin to inspect Harry’s goings on, they realise that he was doing their job all along. Harry is therefore the most influential character in the sequence, carrying the power and freedom to do what he thinks is right. This sends the message that the police are a very weak force in this sequence. The film raises the issues of the youth in modern culture (who in the film are mainly young white males) and backs the stereotypes of the youth; taking drugs and being a public nuisance. However, the stereotype of the elderly is challenged as Harry is shown to be able enough, willing enough to do what is necessary. Harry survives a gang attack and is shown at the end of the film, walking through the underpass which he was once scared to do so. The scene represents the character and ability of Harry despite his advancing years and frail conditions. Throughout the film we approve of Harry and this scene shows why. We don’t exactly approve of the way he dealt with the many issues around the estate, yet we realise that what he does throughout is necessary.
"The Bucket List" - Rob Reiner
The Bucket List revolves around two elderly, terminally ill patients who decide to produce a list of things to do before they “kick the bucket”. The majority of ideas in the piece are fairly extreme and not normally what two men of such an age would attempt. However, this is exactly how the elderly are shown positively throughout the film. They take on a number of tasks which challenge elderly stereotypes that they are frail and unable. It also shows them to be having fun and making the most of what time they have left, ultimately we approve highly of them and their actions throughout the film. Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson both play the main roles; two highly respected actors in the film industry. Having such highly respected actors who are beginning to age also shows how positively the public view a number of elderly actors and actresses.
"Calendar Girls" - Nigel Cole
Calendar Girls surrounds a group of elederly women who are looking for a way in which to raise funds for the leukemia ward of the local hospital. Their solution is to make a calendar featuring nude images of themselves and sell copies of it. The calendar ends up being a huge success and the women become very famous because of it. This shows the elderly in a positive way as the elderly women are making a real difference to their community challenging the old fashion stereotype that elderly people are less useful and less able. Another positive aspect of the film is that the elderly women are posing nude in the calendar. Instead of a young attractive group of women they are elderly members of the community who are expressing themselves. Again there is a star line up of highly respected elderly actresses including Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.
"Is Anybody There?" - John Crowley
Is Anybody there is about an elderly man (Michael Caine) who has been forced into a retirement home due to his age. He becomes very sick and tired of the environment and the way the people in the home are treated and makes sure his feelings are heard. He eventually meets a young boy who also lives at the home and they form a positive friendship. It works out that Clarence has a hidden talent of magic that he works on Edward. Edward repeats the magic in front of all his friends at school and they are all fascinated. Ultimately the pair become very big due to the many shows they put on. This is very positive representation of the elderly as firstly Clarence stands up against the poor ways in which the elderly patients at the home are treated. Secondly, he forms this relationship with the boy which goes against stereotypes that the youth and the elderly don't get on well. And lastly, Clarence's magic is very popular making many of the other characters, of all ages throughout the film approve of him as well as the audience.
-Very small number of films include an elderly protagonist. (Harry Brown being an obvious exception)
-Any elderly characters usually play a small part. (Dark Knight, Inception)
-Elderly generally poorly represented in comedy
-Though fairly positive in "mature comedy". (It's Complicated)
-Romance generally has positive representation in terms of the elderly
-Hardly any elderly representation in horror or action.
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Secondary Research
Bazzini, Doris G.; McIntosh, William D
"The aging character in popular film: Underrepresented, unattractive, unfriendly, and unintelligent."
"The world of aging portrayed in the mass media has not traditionally been an enjoyable or positive one. Dail (1988) states that elderly populations suffer from negative stereotyping more than any other identifiable social group. She argues that preconceived notions about cognition, physical ability, health, sociability, personality, and work capability perpetuate these negative stereotypes. Indeed, in American culture, increasing age seems to portend decreasing value as a human being."
"Old people today are generally not appreciated as experienced “elders” or possessors of special wisdom; they are simply seen as sometimes remaining competent enough to be included in the unitary role category of “active citizen.” Old people are respected to the extent that they can behave like young people, that is, to the extent that they remain capable of working, enjoying sex, exercising and taking care of themselves." - Joshua Meyrowitz (1985)
Cox's research of 1998 found that the way in which the elderly are viewed in society was down to the rate of modernization. The introduction of industrialisation has decreased the need and status of the elderly. It is clear to see the general calling for more of the younger generation when it comes to work and distribution therefore forcing the elderly into a smaller part of our society.
A study by Brigham Young University researchers shows how the elderly are poorly represented in childrens films, most notably Disney. For example, in "Snow White" the villain is the wicked witch, in "Cindrella" a wicked stepmother, Madam Mim in "The Sword and the Stone" and Cruella De Vil in "101 Dalmations". Lead author Tom Robinson goes on to mention how the poor representation of the elderly in film is demonstrated to children at a young age and set a lasting impact. The health of the older characters was good 73% of the time. "But more than a quarter of older characters were shown as toothless or missing teeth," the researchers say. Many of the elderly characters also had cracking voices, were hunched over and if female "were often depicted with saggy breasts". Aside from villains, most older characters were peripheral to the films' story and plot.
I had an in depth search into what books were available which looked into the representation of the elderly within the film industry. After much research I was unable to find many if any books based on the subject. However, the secondary research I have carried out should be enough to come to some conclusions about. I considered this and decided that this would suggest that the poor standard of elderly representation is not necessarily considered in modern literature as perhaps it should be.
Secondary Medium
Although Americans over 60 comprised nearly 17% of the population they only accounted for 5.4% of all network prime-time characters and 4% of the casts for daytime serials. These statistics were found by Gerbner who went on to suggest that the way TV depicts the elderly effects the way in which the public treat them in everyday life.
There is generally a good age range in popular UK soaps such as Eastenders (Dot Cotton) and Coronation Street (Percy Sugden). Yet this is balanced out by other soaps such as Hollyoaks which fails to show any representation of the elderly. Other UK primetime TV again fails to portray a positive outlook on the elderly, in some cases not at all. Bruce Forsyth, presenter of BBC reality show Strictly Come Dancing, is an example of an elderly TV personality yet there are a number of shows in which he has been mocked for his age. There are a number of exceptions however, Harry and Ralph in Brookside, Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave. (Despite the many stereotypes it follows, One Foot in the Grave shows the main characters in a good light due to the comical side of the programme).
There are a number of positive representations of the elderly in US TV with The Golden Girls being the best example in which all four characters are shown in a positive light despite their age. Sitcoms such as Scrubs, Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond all have positive representation regarding the elderly.
